CITY REPORT OR

Adams, OR: 2 Violations — 82/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03

Although water quality varies across any metro, Adams's systems collectively post above-average compliance scores for OR — and documented violations are few.

How Adams Compares

Adams82/100
Oregon avg78/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

1
ZIP Codes
1
Water Systems
1
ZIPs with Violations
B · 82
Avg Safety Score
Zone 2
Radon Risk (Moderate)
$262K
Median Home Value
$2,200
Est. Remediation (0.8% of home value)

Adams Water: The Quick Version

  • Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations in the past 5 years.
  • Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 67% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 13.32 — above typical levels.

Water Systems Serving Adams

Federal records list 1 water system serving Adams, OR. One provider accounts for the large majority of residential water connections in the area, concentrating infrastructure and compliance accountability.

City of Adams Water Department,
Serves ~400 people · 2 violations
82
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Adams, Oregon, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 826 people.

1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Adams: B (82/100)

The score combines three factors:

Factor What It Measures
Water Quality EPA violations and compliance history
Lead Levels 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level
Radon Risk EPA radon zone classification

Water Sources

Adams water systems draw from: Groundwater.

Lead & Copper

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
  • 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 2 1
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 2 1

Areas with Most Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score Violations Health-Based System
97810 B 2 0 City of Adams Water Department,

All ZIP Codes in Adams

  • 97810 [B] — 2 violations

Data Sources

Updated daily.

CDC Health Data for Adams

12%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
12.5%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
18.4%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 12% ↑
Diabetes 12.5% ↑
Mental Health 18.4% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

Key Contaminants Detected in Adams

Surface Water Treatment Rule 2 violations
Treatment Technique
Pathogens may not be adequately removed
Consumer Confidence Report Rule 2 violations
Reporting

Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.

How Old Is Adams's Housing Stock?

1966
Median Build Year
67%
Built Before 1986
47%
Built Before 1970
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 67% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).

Housing Age Profile

Plumbing risk in older housing is defined by two eras: the pre-1970 period when lead pipes were commonly used for service lines, and the 1970-to-1986 period when lead solder remained standard in copper plumbing until the federal ban. Adams's median build year of 1966 lands in a range where both eras are heavily represented in the housing stock. That creates an elevated aggregate environment for plumbing-related lead exposure — one that city-level water quality averages don't capture, because the risk sits inside individual properties rather than in the distribution system.

1966
Median Year Built
67%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
47%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (47%) 1970–1986 (20%) Post-1986 (33%)

Over half of homes in Adams were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Adams: Remediation Cost in Perspective

Given current Adams valuations, the remediation-to-property-value ratio is low — most homeowners are looking at a proportionally modest share that fits within routine financial planning.

Median Home Value
$261,900
Est. Remediation
$2,200
Remediation as % of home value 0.8%

Remediation costs in Adams are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 35% below the Oregon average.

Protecting Children from Lead in Adams

67%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.002
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.

In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Adams have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 67% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Climate-Related Water Risk for Adams

How does Adams's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 3 claims — enough to signal recurring events — and 100% of ZIP codes carry FEMA flood zone status. That combination places flooding in the category of factors that can periodically affect water infrastructure, even if the area isn't among the highest-exposure communities in the NFIP dataset.

3
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$28,766
Avg Claim Payout
100%
ZIPs in FEMA Flood Zones

Adams has a moderate flood history with 3 FEMA claims averaging $28,766 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.

How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,200</strong> remediation cost per household.

Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.

Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Adams, OR?
Adams has an average water safety score of 82/100 (Grade B). 2 EPA violations have been recorded. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How many water violations does Adams have?
Adams water systems have a total of 2 EPA violations. Violations are tracked across 1 ZIP code.
Does Adams water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Adams is 0.002 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home — testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How does Adams compare to Oregon average?
Adams has an average water safety score of 82/100, which is above the Oregon state average of 78/100.
How many water systems serve Adams?
Adams is served by 1 public water system across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 826 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Adams?
Estimated remediation costs in Adams average $2,200 per household, ranging from $1,200 to $3,300. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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